Anna Arno has written a thoughtful, often somber biography of the poet Paul Celan, showing how tragedy underscored his poetry.
Reading Paul Celan for the First Time
The poetry of Paul Celan reflects the tragedies of his life, which included persecution, occupation, forced labor, and his murdered family.
Alan Jacobs Writes a Biography of “Paradise Lost”
Alan Jacobs, in his biography of “Paradise Lost,” explains that the poem by John Milton serves as a cultural mirror.
“I Am the Arrow”: Sarah Ruden Tells Sylvia Plath’s Story
Sarah Ruden uses six of Sylvia Plath’s poems to tell the poet’s story, stripping away political iconography to reveal the poet’s achievement.
A Biography of Dante’s Divine Comedy
“Dante’s Divine Comedy: A Biography” by Joseph Luzzi considers how the great poem has been received over the centuries.
“Elizabeth Bishop: A Very Short Introduction” by Jonathan Post
In “A Very Short Introduction,” Jonathan Post has written a concise and insightful summary of the life and poetry of Elizabeth Bishop.
It’s Been a Good Year for Poetic Biographies and Anthologies
The year 2022 is shaping up as one of the best in recent memory for the publication of poetic biographies and anthologies.
Classic Biography: “Edgar Lee Masters” by Herbert Russell
In his classic biography of Edgar Lee Masters, Herbert Russell tells the story of a writer defined by one single, enormously successful work.
“Eliot After ‘The Waste Land’” by Robert Crawford
With “Eliot After ‘The Waste Land,'” British poet and writer Robert Crawford completes his monumental biography of T.S. Eliot.
“Making Darkness Light: The Lives and Times of John Milton” by Joe Moshenska
In “Making Darkness Light,” Joe Moshenska considers the life and poetry of John Milton to make sense of his own life.
Forgotten Classics: “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Julian Symons
“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Julian Symons, first published 42 years ago, remains the best biography of Edgar Allan Poe.
“Cross of Snow: A Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Nicholas Basbanes
“Cross of Snow” examines the lives of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his wife Frances (“Fanny”), noting her significant contributions to his work.
Forgotten Classics: “Shakespeare of London” by Marchette Chute
“Shakespeare of London” by Marchette Chute, long out of print, remains one of the best literary biographies of the playwright that we have.
“Chaucer: A European Life” by Marion Turner
“Chaucer: A European Life” by Marion Turner is a significant work of scholarship on the context of the life of Geoffrey Chaucer.
W.H. Auden’s “September 1, 1939″ – The Biography of a Poem by Ian Sansom
“September 1, 1939” is one of Auden’s most famous poems. But British writer Ian Sansom sees the flaws. His biography of the poem and the poet is marvelous.
“The Banished Immortal: A Life of Li Bai” by Ha Jin
“The Banished Immortal” by Ha Jin tells the story of Li Bai, considered China’s greatest poet, in an account drawn largely from his poetry.
“Robert Graves” – A Biography of a War Poet by Jean Moorcroft Wilson
Jean Moorcroft Wilson’s new biography of war poet Robert Graves allows the reader to walk in his shoes and understand his poetry and his odd personal life.
“Housman Country: Into the Heart of England”
Peter Parker, in “Housman Country: Into the Heart of England,” explains why “A Shropshire Lad” became one of the most popular poetry books of the 20th century.
“The Whole Harmonium: The Life of Wallace Stevens” by Paul Mariani
In “The Whole Harmonium,” biographer and poet Paul Mariani tells the story of Wallace Stevens, poet, philosopher, insurance executive, and family man.
“Guilty Thing: A Life of Thomas De Quincey” by Frances Wilson
“Guilty Thing: The Life of Thomas De Quincey” by Frances Wilson details the life of the writer who had, and still has, a major influence on literature.